I actually like this Logan's Run wannabe

Rating: 7/10 (9 August 2005)

Lets not kid ourselves. We have all seen this before. The future where all is cool, but not so cool. But you know what, it doesn't stop it for being fun to see it again. This time around Michael Bay gives us the Island, a film about 90 percent Logan's Run and 10 Percent the Running Man. It's the future and all are perfect and all are kind of stupid. Everyone acts the same, think the same and even dress the same. It's a perfect utopian society. Everyday the inhabitants are entered into a contest (well practically every day), where they can win a permanent vacation to paradise. They all want it. But, one gets to see whats behind the wizard's curtain...
This is what Michael Bay does best. He combines CGI with fast camera movements and familiar faces. He is trying to entertain us. He isn't trying to give us the best story, what he is trying to do is give us a good time at the movies. I think he does it. Ewan McGregor is a fun actor to watch and no matter what the role is, you know he believes in it. He does a really good job here in the role he is given. Scarlett Johannson (sp?) is inconsequence, but she is use as a motivating tool to put our main star in action. Normally, in this type of films, the female character doesn't get a whole lot to do but be in peril. They may give them one good fight scene (or love scene) and that is about it. Think of Michael Bay other films (Armageddon, The Rock, Pearl Harbor to name a few) and just think how really important were the females in those films. Nevertheless, its how Hollywood wants their action films and so with The Island, we get the same formula we always get from Hollywood, but in a faster, prettier picture. The CGI stunts look awesome and it was a popcorn eating fun picture. I think the critics may have been expecting THX-1138. Oh well, I recommend seeing this film as a matinée.